The trainers at Anabody Fitness — once out of shape themselves — are experienced with clients of all ages and abilities.
February 27, 2024
BERKELEYSIDE — Marie was in her early 90s and had taken two falls. If she was going to keep living independently, she needed to build up her strength and balance, so her family reached out to Anabody Fitness in Berkeley.
Marie was hesitant to invest in training, but she gave it a shot on a trial basis. After just a few sessions with trainer Juan Jasso she and her family observed improvements in her steadiness. She has significant vision loss, so her training is specially adapted. Now it’s a year in, and she’s had no falls since beginning her program.
“Marie is such an inspiration, reminding us all that it is never too late to improve our physical well-being,” said Jasso, co-founder with Ana Johnson, of Anabody Fitness.
Both Berkeley natives, Johnson and Jasso recently opened a new gym in Berkeley’s Elmwood neighborhood, on Telegraph Avenue, across from the Whole Foods. They picked the location because they noticed a lack of gyms in that area.
Johnson and Jasso weren’t always built like fitness instructors. While they were both active in their youth, playing sports or working out, as young adults their habits changed.
“We both gained weight, ate poorly and felt sluggish. That was our wake up call,” Johnson said. “After getting on track with our own health, making it a career was the next logical step.”
The two began their training career working in a large downtown Berkeley gym. Having been out of shape themselves in the past, they felt like they could better understand and support their clients.
When COVID hit they began working with their clients privately in parks and backyards. They found they loved the independence and flexibility, and knew working for another gym was no longer for them. They each have about a decade-worth of experience as trainers now.
“We have our own approach to fitness and wanted to fully bring it to Berkeley,” Johnson said.
One part of their approach is working incrementally. By working within the client’s comfort zone and gradually pushing the limits, they make exercise approachable. As clients start to see changes they are inspired to stay committed and take on more.
The trainers emphasize strength training with free weights combined with a solid foundational knowledge on form and proper intensity progression. Great importance is placed on the role of balance and stability. The goal is always to minimize risk of injury while maximizing strengthening and mobility.
While many of the Anabody Fitness clients are older adults, the range of clients runs from 4 to 94. The Anabody trainers have worked with a broad range of abilities and disabilities including autism, orthopedic issues, and obesity, and are well versed in adapting exercises to people’s needs.
Another client, Janelle, had found herself during the pandemic gaining weight and lacking energy. She started working with Anabody Fitness and noticed the improved strength and energy, better mobility and posture, and a toned and lean physique. In addition to the physical benefits, Janelle began to view her workouts as an opportunity to challenge herself, and to release stress.
Group training
A new offering at Anabody Fitness is the small group training sessions. These sessions allow participants to experience results similar to Marie and Janelle but at a fraction of the cost. The groups are no larger than five people, allowing for focused attention on form and technique. These group training sessions also offer the additional benefit of socializing and being motivated by peers. Group classes are offered twice a day, during weekdays and once on Saturday. A senior-focused class is also available twice a week. Additionally gym memberships are available for those interested in working out independently, in the supportive and welcoming gym.
Johnson enjoys seeing her clients thrive. These days, Janelle is looking forward to her wedding — and she won’t need a crash diet to feel like she’s looking her best. And Marie is still living independently and no longer even uses her cane when getting the mail.
“Meeting clients where they are at and challenging them to be a little bit better than the day before, is our approach,” Johnson said. “Consistency and incremental progress are the key.”
